Author Scott H. Young talks about mental fitness and holistic learning on his blog (see Resources). He lists 20 tricks to improve memory and increase what the brain can contain and remember. A few of these include journal-keeping, meditation, visualizing, taking up new hobbies outside your normal interests, reading one book per week, doing crossword puzzles, playing competitive games, changing up your routine, meeting people from other cultures, teaching and debating. All of these things are meant to exercise the brain and cause it to continually learn new information. Each hobby doesn't need to be mastered.
Perform "IQ tests" on friends by asking trick questions that seem simple but require logical thinking:
How long did The Hundred Years' War last? (Answer: 116 years, 1337 to 1453)
Which country makes Panama hats? (Ecuador)
In what month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution? (November, because their calendar did not match ours)
Some months have 30 days and some months have 31 days. How many months have 28 days? (All of them)
Where are Chinese Gooseberries from? (New Zealand)
A farmer had 17 sheep and all but 9 died. How many live sheep were left? (Nine live sheep)
How long did the Thirty Years' War last? (30 years, 1618 to 1648)
Test IQ by playing interactive IQ games, activities and quizzes over the Internet. Many sites offer puzzles and riddles to strengthen and exercise the mind, and provide intriguing challenges. The games can also be addictive. Play Fugitive Hunter, Burr Puzzles; Swine Sweeper or 14 Balls (see Resources).
IQ scores will vary through years, depending on age, type of test and response to it. A person who is grumpy, hungry, tired or distracted won't score as well as a person who is well rested and has taken care of himself. The diet and environment of a person can contribute to IQ scores. Eat well, get enough sleep and find ways to reduce stress. Train your brain by doing puzzles and activities that exercise your thinking process.